Barcelona 'line up Arteta as a future manager after being impressed by him'

Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, with a view to potentially making a move for the 40-year-old in the future.

Arsenal have made an excellent start to the season under Arteta, winning 10 of their opening 12 league games to move two points clear of defending champions Manchester City at the top of the table.

The Gunners have also progressed through their Europa League group to make the knockout stages of the competition.

Barcelona have been impressed by Arsenal's style of play and discipline under Arteta, and see him as a potential future manager at the Nou Camp, according to Sport.

The north London outfit have scored 30 goals in their 12 league games to date - only City have scored more - while they have conceded just 11, leaving them with the joint-second best defensive record in the division.

Current Barcelona boss Xavi has seen his side start the season well domestically, with the Catalan giants just a point behind rivals Real Madrid in LaLiga.

However, they have been dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage for the second successive campaign.

Xavi admitted after their exit that he is under pressure to start getting positive results or he will be replaced, but it is understood that Barcelona do not intend to sack him anytime soon, and expect their current manager to continue in the dugout 'for many years to come'.

Arteta has history with Barcelona having come through their academy during his playing days.

He left the club in 2002 as a 20-year-old to join Rangers, and went on to play for Everton and Arsenal in the Premier League.

Arteta also worked under former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola at City as an assistant coach before moving to Arsenal.

Guardiola led Barcelona through one of the most successful periods in their history, winning La Liga three times in a row and the Champions League twice.